Elephant Party Breather

The Elephant Noise Maker is a fun and useful tool for teaching kids deep breathing techniques. Deep breathing is a key coping skill and one of the Soothing Coping Skills covered in Please Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff.

In the past we have drawn a picture of an elephant on a piece of heavy paper or cardboard to create our elephant noise makers. With this new template you can either use the picture to trace on something more durable or simply cut the elephant out and use the template itself.

Here’s are the instructions:

1.Cut out the elephant from the template. Either trace the elephant on to heavy duty paper or cardboard if desired or use the elephant from the template.

2.Cut a hole slightly smaller than needed for a noise maker where the X is on the elephant’s trunk. The elephants tend to be top heavy (pun intended), and making the hole slightly smaller than needed will help to keep the blower in place.

3.Push the blower end of party toy / noise maker through hole. We like the party favors with the paper that unrolls on the other end as these require the kids to practice deep breathing in order to make them work. However, you can use actual noise makers if you’re looking for a louder option.

4.Blow on the noise maker to practice deep breathing. Encourage the child to take deep breaths in through their nose then exhale through their mouth.

Click on the picture above for a full-sized printable version of the Elephant Noise Maker template.

Wayne is the founder and executive director of Hope 4 Hurting Kids. He is a happily married father of four kids with a passion for helping young people who are going through rough times. In addition to Hope 4 Hurting Kids, Wayne previously started I Am A Child of Divorce and Divorce Ministry 4 Kids to help kids who are dealing with the disruption of their parents' relationship. These are now part of Hope 4 Hurting Kids. Wayne speaks frequently at conferences and churches on issues related to helping kids learn to deal with difficult emotions and life in modern families.Wayne lives with his wife, three youngest kids, three dogs and an insane collection of his kids' other pets outside of Columbus, Ohio. In addition to his work with Hope 4 Hurting Kids, Wayne is a partner in a local consulting firm, an avid reader, coaches his son's soccer team and is a proud supporter of Leicester City Football Club (and yes, for those in know, his affinity for the club does predate the 2016 championship).You can reach Wayne at wayne@hope4hurtingkids.com.